Moab and Arches National Park Attractions

Just five miles north of Moab proper, Arches is a not a huge national park at 76,000 acres, but it is filled with more than 2,000 amazing natural sandstone arches formed by millions of years of water and wind erosion. Drive through the park on paved roads and stop at various viewpoints to see nifty balanced rocks and amazing arches, soaring towers and striking buttes. The most famous formation, Delicate Arch, can be viewed at the end of a 100-yard trail (great for toddlers who want to stretch their legs) or a half-mile uphill climb (more appropriate for ages six and up); older kids can make the moderate three-mile hike to the base of the famous arch that is pictured on Utah license plates.

The friendly park rangers at the visitor center can recommend other hikes according to your family's ability level. Rangers lead easy, free, one-hour walks at various points through the park, as well as fee-based tours through the maze of moderately strenuous trails in the Fiery Furnace section. Picnic tables are available opposite Balanced Rock and near the Devil Garden Trailhead. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center; children ages 6 to 12 can answer questions and complete some activities to earn their Junior Ranger badge and certificate. Have fun spotting wildlife with your children; while bighorn sheep, mule deer and coyotes make their home in the park, you'll most likely you'll see plenty of chipmunks, squirrels and lizards scurrying about.

Aside from the restrooms at the visitor center and pit toilets elsewhere in the park, there are no facilities at Arches, so pack your lunch and plenty of water, and gas your car in Moab, before your arrival. The only lodging at Arches is the Devils Garden Campground (see below). Plan to spend at least a half day at Arches National Park to fully appreciate all of its geologic wonders.

The state's largest national park is 35 miles west of Moab. It is comprised of three distinct sections: the Needles, the Maze and Island in the Sky, the most trafficked area. Islands in the Sky sits on top of a huge mesa, and its 20 miles of paved roads lead to various viewpoints where the panoramic vistas are breathtaking. Pick up a Junior Ranger activity booklet, designed for kids ages 6 to 12, at the Visitor Center to earn Junior Ranger badges. Or check out an Explorer Park (deposit required) filled with binoculars, notebook, hand lens and naturalist guide. Park ranger offer interactive family programs end June through early August. Cost: $10 vehicle fee, good for seven days.

If you are driving to Canyonlands from Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park is worth a stop. Here, visitors stand on the park's narrow rock promontory 2,000 feet above the Colorado River for phenomenal views of the sandstone formations in nearby Canyonlands National Park. Stop at the visitor center to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet. Take a short self-guided nature walk with young children; older kids might appreciate the 10 miles of hiking trails. Factoid: The famous last scene in the film Thelma & Louise was filmed just south of Dead Horse Point.

Depending on the ages of your kids, you might want to take full-day whitewater rafting rides or half-day mellow float trips on the Colorado and Green rivers with any number of area outfitters. Most outfitters require that kids are a minimum of 5 years old, though the may accept 4-year-olds if they can safely wear provided U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Guided river trips, led by knowledgeable, experienced and friendly guides, fill up quickly, especially in the summer months, so book early. Half-day trips start at about $35 for children, $45 for adults.

Moab's public swimming pool beckons in the desert summer heat. The outdoor pool, adjacent to 7-acre Swanny City Park with playground equipment and skatepark, is generally Saturdays in May, then daily Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Tweens and teens who want to sample some of the best mountain biking on the planet can choose from gentle novice trails, moderate single-track and ultra-challenging technical terrain of Slickrock Bike Trail. Ask for trail suggestions at the Moab Information Center at Main and Center streets, or pick the brains of the fat tire enthusiasts at the local bike shops like Poison Spider, Chile Pepper Bike Shop or Rim Cyclery. These shops also rent bikes.

Via Hummer, Jeep or all-terrain vehicle, families can take to the backcountry, well off the paved city streets of Moab, with area guides. Scenery ranges from secluded canyons to hidden arches to snow-capped mountains. Older kids will likely appreciate splashing through creeks, going over bumpy roads and landing in precarious positions on giant rocks more than younger children, though most companies have no age minimums for passengers. Two-hour Hummer tours start at about $40 for kids, $70 for adults. ATV tours run about $60 for youth passenger, $100 for an adult driver.

From the Red Cliffs Lodge corrals, kids ages eight and up can ride their own horses through the canyon country made famous in John Wayne westerns. Guided trips go through the Castle Valley, with fantastic views of the mammoth rock structure, Castleton Tower. Half-day tours start at 8:30 a.m. an adult must accompany children; evening rides available as well. Cost for both, for all ages: $70.

Show your budding Picasso how ancient residents of the Moab area scratched drawings (petroglyphs) or made paintings (pictographs) on the soft sandstone cliff walls. Some of the drawings date back to 500 A.D. Designs can also be found in Arches National Park.